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Hey folks.
I have an interesting (to me) problem here. I’ve been offered a vintage Vox Phantom 12 string guitar. It clearly is NOT Italian made. My best research is that it is Japanese made in ’67. Anyway, he claims there is a history behind it relating to a well-known band. I don’t want to give too many details because he believes it may have been stolen and if it is what he thinks, may have a reward for the finder or fines for the possessor. I kinda doubt either one. But it does have a serial number and someone’s name and what looks like his S/S number on the headstock mount cover plate. I haave pictures, just have to get them up online to show them here…
So, my question is : Are there resources to check on the history of guitars that may have been in the public light at one time?
I have checked the official and un-official websites of the band in question and there was never any mention of this guitar ever being owned by any member. There were several thefts of equipment but none listed a Vox guitar.
The current owner said the story was that it was owned by a friend or roadie or something like that and was stolen (by my friend’s dead relative) at a Chicago gig back in the day. He admits it’s sketchy and is not using this to boost up the guitar’s value. Frankly, after looking it over and doing my own research, I conclude these were pretty crappy guitars, even new. But they did have a unique look and I want an electric 12-string and he owes me money so I’d like to take it as payment. I just don’t want to go modifying it if it has any real value as-is. I’ll probably take off the ‘pickguard’ plate and just rebuild everything new on a new plate and keep as much of the original on the original plate.
Perhaps I can take suggestions on what pickups y’all think might be best here. The string spacing is pretty typical of modern 6-strings – 48-50mm pole spacing should work fine. I’ll probably use a humbuk at the bridge and singles elsewhere. It would be nice to find suitable offset pickups to match the original split pickups but they would have to be narrower than today’s standard humbuk cuz’ I don’t wanna remove any wood. I would like to give it some kinda unique sound too, to go with it’s unique look but that’s not a requirement.
Wow. I think that’s a long enough post. I’m looking foreward to hearing from anyone who can help me. Thanks
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